Timeline: Political crisis in Ukraine and Russia's occupation of Crimea

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KIEV (Reuters) - Here is a timeline of the fall of Ukraine’s government and Russia’s subsequent incursion into Ukraine’s Crimea region.

Ukrainian navy ships are docked at the Crimean port of Yevpatorya March 8, 2014. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

The crisis began in November when Ukraine’s then president, Viktor Yanukovich, under Russian pressure, turned his back on a trade deal with the EU and accepted a $15 billion bailout from Moscow. That prompted three months of street protests, leading to the overthrow of Yanukovich on February 22.

Moscow denounced the events as an illegitimate coup and refused to recognize the new Ukrainian authorities. In late February, Russian troops seized the Crimean peninsula in a bloodless military takeover.

* Nov 21: Kiev suddenly announces suspension of trade and association talks with the EU and opts to revive economic ties with Moscow.

Several hundred Ukrainians gather on the capital’s central Independence Square to protest.

* Jan 22: Three people die during protests and EU threatens action over handling of crisis. Talks between opposition and Yanukovich fail.

* Jan 23: Washington threatens sanctions if violence continues.

* Jan 26: Police clash with protesters in Kiev. Unrest spreads to traditionally pro-Yanukovich east. Yanukovich offers important government posts to opposition, who say they will press for more concessions, including early elections.

* Feb 28: Armed men take control of two airports in Crimea, described by Ukrainian minister as invasion by Moscow’s forces. Ousted Yanukovich surfaces in Russia after a week on the run.

* March 1: Putin wins parliamentary approval to invade Ukraine. In Kiev, new government warns of war, puts troops on high alert and appeals to NATO for help. White House warns Russia of economic, political isolation. Russian forces fan out in Crimea. Pro-Moscow demonstrations erupt across Ukraine’s south and east in what Kiev calls an attempt to repeat Crimea scenario.

* March 3: Markets open for first time since Kremlin announcement of right to invade. Russian share prices and ruble plummet.

* March 4: Putin announces end to war games in Western Russia, orders troops near frontier back to barracks. Ukraine says Russian navy has blocked strait between Crimea and Russia. Putin says military force in Ukraine would only be “last resort”. Kerry in Kiev. U.S. official says Washington working on sanctions against Russia.

* March 5: Russia rebuffs calls to withdraw troops from Crimea, saying “self-defense” forces are not under its command. European Union pledges 11 billion euros in aid to Kiev.

* March 6: Crimea’s pro-Russian leadership votes to join Russia and sets referendum for March 16, escalating crisis. U.S. President Barack Obama says referendum would violate international law and orders sanctions on those responsible for Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine.

EU leaders hold an emergency summit to try to find ways to pressure Russia to back down and accept mediation. Military monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe barred from entering Crimea.

* March 7: After hour-long phone call with Obama, Putin says they are still far apart.

* March 8: Warning shots are fired to prevent an unarmed international military observer mission from entering Crimea. Russian forces become increasingly aggressive towards Ukrainian troops trapped in bases.